Cassie and I have not long returned from a Thistle Camp on the Isle of Arran.
For one week, we helped a team of volunteers to excavate and survey the ruins of a Bronze Age roundhouse in Glen Rosa.
I've never done any archaeological work before, but our group leaders (Derek, Jim, Thomas and Christine) were so patient and generous with their time and advice. we soon got the hang of it (kinda!)
Each day we hiked to the site, which lies in the shadow of Beinn Nuis, and we saw all kinds of wildlife, from adders to deer and even red squirrels!
We visited the standing stones and ruins at Machrie Moor. on our day off, which was pretty awe inspiring.
We also made some amazing friends, who I'm sure we'll see again!
Thistle Camps are run by the National Trust of Scotland (NTS) - do yourself a favour and check them out!